The catalase test is a simple and fundamental biochemical assay used in microbiology to differentiate between types of microorganisms, specifically bacteria. It determines whether a microorganism produces the enzyme catalase. ​🧪 The Science Behind It ​The purpose of the catalase enzyme is to protect the cell from toxic byproducts of aerobic respiration. When a cell uses oxygen, it inevitably produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), a common one being hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2). Hydrogen peroxide